'At this point, Mr. Livermore checked himself suddenly, as if he had said too much, and then added:
''I regret, my dear sir, that I can merely add, that I gave Adéle the solemn pledge she required, and that my presence here, in the city of Mexico, to-day, is merely the result of the secret then intrusted to me.'
'I was still under the impression that this narrative had produced, when Adéle softly entered the apartment.
''Arthur,' said she, in a low whisper, 'there is some one knocking at the door of the ante-chamber.'
''Remain here,' said he, rising from his seat, 'I will go and open it.'
''Do not let him go alone, I beg of you,' said Adéle. 'Who knows of what service your presence may be to-day, or of what value your testimony may be hereafter? Possibly, it may save money, if not life; but why go without your hat and gloves?' she added, as I was leaving the room bare-headed, 'you must pass for a visitor, not for a fellow-lodger.'
'Lost in admiration of her ready tact and coolness, I reached Arthur Livermore's sitting-room, just as he opened the door.
''Pepito,' exclaimed he.
''Ay, Caballero, Pepito himself, in perfect health, and ever your most devoted servant.''
[TO BE CONCLUDED.]